If you hold an Illinois license to practice medicine in all its branches (MD or DO), the IDFPR requires 150 hours of continuing medical education every three-year renewal cycle. At least 60 of those hours (40%) must be formal AMA PRA Category 1 CME, and up to 90 hours (60%) may be informal Category 2 activities. Illinois also layers in several mandated topics — some required every cycle, others only every other cycle. Below is the full breakdown of what you need, what counts, and when it is due.
150 hours / 3 years
One hundred fifty CME hours each triennial renewal cycle.
60 hours Category 1 minimum
At least 40% (60 hours) must be formal Category 1; up to 60% (90 hours) may be Category 2.
Mandated topics
Sexual harassment prevention and implicit bias each cycle; opioid, dementia, and cultural competency every other cycle.
First cycle exemption
Physicians are exempt from CME for the renewal immediately following initial licensure.
How many CME hours Illinois physicians need
Illinois requires 150 hours of CME every three years. At least 60 hours (40%) must be formal AMA PRA Category 1 programs, and up to 90 hours (60%) may be informal Category 2 activities. The requirement is tied to your triennial license renewal, and hours must be completed within the cycle preceding renewal.
Mandated subject requirements
- Sexual harassment prevention: 1 hour each cycle.
- Implicit bias awareness: 1 hour each cycle.
- Safe opioid prescribing: 1 hour once every other cycle for prescribers; CSR holders also complete 3 hours per Controlled Substance Registration cycle.
- Alzheimer's & dementia: 1 hour once every other cycle for physicians treating adults likely to be affected.
- Cultural competency: 1 hour once every other cycle.
These mandated hours count toward the 150-hour total.
Renewal cycle and deadlines
Illinois physician licenses renew every three years. Complete and document your 150 hours — including any mandated topics due that cycle — before your renewal deadline, and keep records in case IDFPR audits your CME.
Know exactly what CME you need.
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View pricingIllinois Physicians (MD/DO) CME at a glance
- Sexual Harassment Prevention1 hr
One hour of sexual harassment prevention training each three-year renewal cycle. Counts toward the 150-hour total.
- Implicit Bias Awareness1 hr
One hour of implicit bias awareness training each three-year renewal cycle. Counts toward the 150-hour total.
- Safe Opioid Prescribing1 hr
One hour of safe opioid prescribing education (required once every other licensure cycle for prescribers). Separately, physicians holding an Illinois Controlled Substance Registration must complete 3 hours of opioid/safe-prescribing CME per CSR cycle.
- Alzheimer's & Dementia1 hr
One hour on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, required once every other licensure cycle, for physicians who treat adult patients likely to be affected.
- Cultural Competency1 hr
One hour of cultural competency training, required once every other licensure cycle. Counts toward the 150-hour total.
Always confirm with your licensing board
Illinois physician (MD) and osteopathic physician (DO) licenses renew every three years. At least 60 hours (40%) must be formal Category 1 CME; up to 90 hours (60%) may be informal Category 2 activities. Several mandated topics are required only every other cycle.
CME requirements change. Confirm current rules with IDFPR before relying on these figures.
Source: Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, Medical Licensing Board. Board website · Researched as of 2026-06-01 · CME rules change; this is administrative guidance, not legal or CME-accreditation advice.
Licensed in more than one state?
Interstate Medical Licensure Compact: active. Active and issuing. Physicians can obtain expedited licensure across member states; each state license is separate (and each renews on its own CME cycle).
Each state license carries its own CME requirement and renewal date — if you hold more than one, you need a plan for each.
Also licensing in Illinois or beyond?
Our sister teams handle the licensing side with the same concierge service.
Illinois Physician CME Requirements — Frequently Asked Questions
How many CME hours do Illinois physicians need?
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150 hours every three years, with at least 60 hours (40%) in formal Category 1 CME.
What CME topics are mandated in Illinois?
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Sexual harassment prevention and implicit bias (1 hour each, every cycle), plus safe opioid prescribing, Alzheimer's/dementia, and cultural competency (1 hour each, every other cycle). Controlled Substance Registration holders also complete 3 hours of opioid CME per CSR cycle.
Are new Illinois physicians exempt from CME?
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Yes — physicians are exempt from the CME requirement for the renewal immediately following initial licensure.
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